BlackBerry Z10 unboxed, in the flesh!

We finally got ourselves a review unit of the BlackBerry Z10 and went thru some more details that we’ve not yet covered in our previous articles about it.

There are actually 3 color variants of the Z10 but we think only the white and black colors will be available. We prefer the white color better than the black one though. Here’s a quick video run-through:

The Z10 represents a drastic design change that BlackBerry introduced into their newest line. It has now followed the usual design signature of Android’s vast competitive market — large capacitive screen, powerful hardware, LTE support and an app-centric environment. It’s short of BlackBerry saying “me too can play that game!“.

What is most compelling about the new BlackBerry offering is a tight integration of hardware and software. Just like how Apple perfected the marriage of iPhone and iOS, BlackBerry’s edge will also be the control between both the hardware and the software.

As such, we’re more inclined to compare the iPhone 5 to the BlackBerry Z10 instead of any other Android handset.

Probably the biggest challenge for BlackBerry right now is to get the consumers to be more familiar with the BB10 OS and its UI. We have to admit that the UI will be somewhat confusing at first. This is because it’s a huge departure from the usual Home-based navigation we’ve seen in iOS and Android (even including Windows Phone 8).

To the un-initiated, the BB 10 UI could be a challenge to use but once you’re completely acquainted, you will notice the maturity and elegance of the interface.

Our review unit supports Globe LTE, based on the nano-SIM we used with it. The signal indicator shows 4G when connected to the LTE network. Speedtest is giving me a downlink speed of of 28Mbps and uplink of 9Mbps.

54 Comments on this Post

Hmmm

In terms of hardware, quality and the build, I think it’s a very solid phone that can compete with others on the field. However, the biggest problem I see as a consumer is the lack of native apps that have been popular in both Android and iOS. This may not be a problem for someone who has been Blackberry user, but Blackberry may find it difficult for non-users to shift to their handsets.

User1

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

Lack of apps, apps, apps. Is that all people would say about blogs on a Blackberry unit? Note that Thorsten Heins specifically mentioned that Blackberry is targeted for specific set of people, i.e., business-minded and professionals. Just my two cents. Thanks.

Andrei

Andrei

Even business minded people and professionals rely heavily on apps for gaming, socializing, communicating and even for work-related things. I think, some of the people commenting here are just saying that you or any other person can spend their hard-earned, professional money on a flagship phone that may be cheaper by a few thousand, yet have a comprehensive, quality and stable kind of app listing. But if you are a BB fan/enthusiast then that is a different story altogether.

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

Well, I beg to disagree. Professionals and business-minded people alike heavily rely on fast email reception, instant messaging (BBM), social and professional media (FB/Twitter/LinkedIn), and a few other useful apps such as skype and kindle. If you are observant enough, you would notice that these apps have the same thing in common, i.e., exchange of information or simply just communication. If you want a little gaming gadget, BB10 or any other Blackberry is not for you.

Picus

BlackBerry 10 OS does not need a high specs because it runs smoothly and faster with last years specs. Not like the Android OS you need to make the specs quad core and 4GB ram to make the UI faster and intuitive.

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

Mr. Curious

maybe if only they released it during the 3rd-4th quarter of 2012, it would somehow be a hit; a comeback hit per se. But now that a lot of phones have hmmm.. better specs or let’s just say we are more bit familiar with, has the same price range. That is a pretty big downside of this unit. But let’s give BB a chance? =D for a change people. iOS 6, Android key-line-pie, W8, and now BB10? why not? =D thou I the style still doesn’t indulge me in anyway. just an opinion. =D

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

Are you that informed of Z10 sales abroad? Do you have the data/figures? Last time I checked, Z10 has been outselling GS3 and IP5 and it’s been reported repeatedly that Z10 sales are wild in everywhere it launched. People like you should learn the art of researching, reading and discerning.

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

goodha

Am i correct that I am seeing 1 micro usb port and 1 mini usb port based on the photo?
Also, does it still need BIS data plan or not anymore? (based from other forums)
Only in my dreams that I would get hold of this Z10. I am still using a vintage BB pearl with OS4.5 for bbm, push email and mobile surfing.

Jay

radioactive_balut

“What is most compelling about the new BlackBerry offering is a tight integration of hardware and software. Just like how Apple perfected the marriage of iPhone and iOS, BlackBerry’s edge will also be the control between both the hardware and the software.

As such, we’re more inclined to compared the iPhone 5 to the BlackBerry Z10 instead of any other Android handset.”

Soon-To-Be-BB10-User

“What “tight integration” the author was referring to that the BB has but Android’s hardware-software doesn’t have?”

Poor @radioactive_balut, @jonathan is right. Magtagalog ka na lang. You don’t know the meaning of what you’re reading and clearly, you can’t properly use English grammar. You see BB and you react “what?” without even understanding the statement/s. Get a book!

jonathan

Mr.torch9860

I wish I could buy 4G LTE Z10 here in Riyadh, but Z10 in middle east don’t have the 4G LTE model. How about in Philippines, does blackberry offers 4G LTE or only 3G? Anyways, Z10 rocks, it’s usually outsales the Iphone and android phones in other countries. When I went to carrefour last night, I saw the displays of Z10 in the corner of the phone section, and many people are checking on the Z10 display, whereas, the Iphone 5 don’t have. Then i left to get some stuffs. After 10 minutes, the Z10 displays were gone and moved to another side of the phone section and they replaced them with Iphone 5 because no one is checking on Iphone 5.

If you want reliable phone that you can use anywhere to send and receive e-mails, SMS, BBM, voice and video chat,.whatsapp, viber SMS, FB, TWITTER, on the go then go for Z10. You pay for the user’s experience, quality, security, reliability and not the apps that most kids playing everyday. This is not a toy that can make calls. This is a phone that keeps you moving and help works to be done. My friends are using androids but you can’t eve n contact them when they are outside with out wifi. But for us BB users can get connected to each other anywhere without wifi. And that is the fact. I will buy my 3G z10 next month. Cheers BB users.

BerryholicTwitter: choosyshop

Need help.. I purchase a z10 and i tried to use my smart carrier , everything was ok but ive notice that my mobile data is no longer active and i check its the apn issues that loitering around with z10. Nees to used the wifi instead but my worry is that im still subscribe to bis

Former BB user

Hello, any of you guys tested this unit for its battery life? Hope someone has an actual review on usage. Also, Has anyone tried the bb video messaging features? Please let me read your comments on this blog. BIG Thanks!

It may lack apps but it is still a new phone and new os. It is pretty solid in my opinion and the os has a lot of potential. Well this is how android started before. But look at them right now. The apps will come. What matters right now is if it is worth investing with its potential capabilities rather than sticking imto the mindset of ‘that phone sucks it has no apps’

And obviously you guys lack news about technology, if you are too eager for a lot of app, you can sideload android apps into Z10, amazing isnt it? A phone with a lot of potential. In your face haters.

SerahJessa

To the person who claims that sideloading makes the OS lag. Ill ask one simple question. Is it the app that lags (and the android runtime that runs it) or the OS itself?

Because in my experience both sideloaded apps and android ports (applications transferred over from android but repackaged to work in BB but still run under android runtime player) work smooth on the OS.

Once I try to do something android related or unsupported (most likely because the developer did not bother to package the app correctly or disable android only features) the app may lag or stop working but the OS does not. It just keeps moving. You can force close the app in question but it never affects any other apps or the OS.

This to me presents how much more mature BB10 is. The OS can do so much and be in control at all times even if it does run on last years specs. This is what your 30k is paying for. An elegant system designed to keep working no matter what you throw at it. The QNX Neutrino/BB 10 platform does run missile command systems and other military grade tech after all. Let’s see your android do that.